ATTAKKALARI CHILD
PROTECTION POLICY
Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts

April 2018

Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts
(A project of Attakkalari Public Charitable Trust of Contemporary Performing Arts)
ATTAKKALARI CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1. Vision and Mission Statement:
The vision of Attakkalari Child Protection Policy is to create a safe, nurturing,supportive and responsive environment that upholds rights and dignity of every child who isattending classes in Attakkalari.
We strive towards a conducive and child sensitive learning environment where we
engage with children to ensure safe environments for those entrusted to our care. This weachieve by establishing effective measures on prevention, early intervention andstrengthening response mechanisms, support services and building partnerships withconcerned agencies and child protection mechanisms.
Attakkalari strives towards zero tolerance to child abuse and safety violations in any
form.
2. Statement of Commitment:
The state of Karnataka is committed to the protection and safeguard of every child. Thus weare committed to uphold the rights and development of all children in our care, uphold equity
and equality and practice non-discrimination, as outlined by the Karnataka Government
Department of Women and Child Development in Karnataka State Child Protection Policy
2016 under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, an Act of IndianParliament and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We oppose all forms of child safety
violations including child abuse such as physical and sexual abuse, exploitation, emotional
abuse, corporal punishment, and neglect. We ensure the protection and welfare of children
as our responsibility and shall be at the core of all activities.
3. Statement on recognizing all forms of child safety violations including child abuse
We recognize that child abuse includes physical, emotional or psychological, sexual
abuse, neglect, maltreatment, discrimination as described below.
A. Harm - An act or behavior, often intentional, that hurts, causes grievous injury, pain or trauma
to the child. Most often this is physical and sometimes could

also be self-inflicted, such as

cutting, burning, misuse of substances etc.
B. Neglect - A condition where there is failure to protect the child from exposure to any kind ofharm or danger that results in significant impairment in the health and development of thechild. Neglect is often prolonged and includes starvation or not providing nutrition, notproviding emotional support, leaving child un- supervised or not providing medical,
educational, and other basic care such as shelter, clothing etc.
1

C. Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as
to cause severe and persistent effects on the child’s emotional development, and may
involve:a. Conveying to a child that she/he is worthless, unloved, inadequate, or valued only
insofar as she/he meets the needs of another personb. Imposing developmentally inappropriate expectations e.g. interactions beyond thechild’s developmental capability, overprotection, limitation of exploration and learning,
preventing the child from participation in normal social interaction
c. Causing a child to feel frightened or in danger e.g. witnessing a violence, seeing or
hearing the ill treatment of anotherd. Exploitation or corruption of a childe. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in most types of ill treatment of children,
though emotional abuse may occur alone.
D. Physical abuse - Physical assaults that would be serious criminal offenses if committed by one
person against another - for instance, hitting, slapping, or striking with an object
E. Sexual Abuse -Acts or behavior that constitute an offence under the Protection of Children
from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) and/or the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
4. Safety Measures:
Attakkalari strives to put in place system such asa. Safe infrastructure: All our buildings shall be designed as per applicable laws Safety
Notifications from government departments and agencies. In order to reduce risk ofabuse of children by adults and among children themselves, ensure safety of children
in all spaces, including areas such as toilets, bathrooms, laboratories, sports
equipment rooms, art rooms, counseling rooms, etc. through safe practices such asadequate lighting, adult attendants, peer support groups,etc.

b. Access control: Attakkalari have in place rules for those visitors such as visitors register,gates monitored for entry and exit of service providers, consultants, marketing
personnel etc. Also ensures which people outside of the Attakkalari are allowed inand under what circumstances. Attakkalari is having service of a professional agency
to takes care of the security and the security personnel are dedicated to attakkalariand the rotations of duty are as per our knowledge. The entry point, gate,studios/classrooms are surveilled by CC tv cameras with recording facility.
c. Off-site activity guidelines: When trips outside the Attakkalari are undertaken
including excursions, picnics, educational tours, awareness processions / jaathas,etc., the following are to be mandatorily followed – written permission ofparent/guardian, safety orientation to students prior to departure, contact numbersof parents/guardian for emergencies,20:1 student adult ratio for supervision, at least
one adult trained in CPR, First Aid, handling of off-site bathroom breaks, use of public2

transportation, etc. In case of any specific event or program such as Attakkalari daytrips, competitions, a person will have to be made responsible and accountable for thesafety of the child. A lady staff must accompany the group on off-site trips if girlstudents are part of the group.
d. Guidance and Counseling: Attakkalari will ensure that minimum one faculty/staff
member will be trained in child counseling skills.
5. Child Protection and monitoring Measures in the Attakkalari:
5.1 Attakkalari strives to take in account and ensure all the provisions of safety measures
mentioned in the check list which is part of Child Protection Policy for Educational Institution andwill be adhered to and reviewed periodically.
5.2 . The Child Protection Committee (“CPC”)
Attakkalari shall have a Child Protection Committee with the following composition:●

Head of the Institution, as the Chairperson●

Two staff members, one of whom is designated as the Child Protection Officer●

Two parents one of which is a woman.

●

Two faculty members of which one is a woman●

Two student members of which one is a woman

5.2.1 : Roles and Responsibilities of CPC
1. CPC shall meet once in three months and whenever a violation is reported.
2. The quarterly meeting should have on its agenda review of the previous quarter, any
threats/risks discovered during that period and additional measures to be taken tostrengthen child protection measures in the institution
3. CPC shall focus only on the complaints/suggestions received on child safety
violations/abuse and not on any administrative issues.
4. CPC shall discuss the concerns, record the same and give appropriate
recommendations to the management for further action.
5. CPC shall ensure the concerns are addressed and closed within a specified time.
6. CPC shall maintain all registers, files and folders and documents related to child safety
and protection. Child Protection Officer will be responsible for this.
7. CPC shall seek external expert help as and when required.
8. The tenure of the CPC shall be two years. Vacancies if any should be filled within one
month of vacancy or start of a year, whichever is earlier.
9. CPC will follow all guidelines prescribed by in this CPP.
The CPC will undertake following steps when cases of violation are reported such as ;1. CPC will convene as soon as an incident is reported with periodic follow-up until3

closure of case. The detailed review procedures are given in Section 5.
2. The CPC and the Attakkalari`s Management shall cooperate with the police,
judiciary and local administration in investigation of the reported incident, to the extent
applicable by law, while keeping in mind the safety, security, right to privacy andconfidentiality in the best interest of the child.
3. The CPC shall also assess and address the impact of the incident on other children,
adults working in Attakkalari as a whole.
4. The CPC shall perform a lessons-learnt analysis to understand the factors

that

contributed to the abuse and recommend, in its wisdom, refresher training for the
institution (adults, students, children, Board/management team, service providers).
5.2.2 : Roles and responsibility of the Chairperson and CPO
1. Chairperson: The Artistic Director shall be the Chairperson of the CPC and shallensure:●That the Attakkalari has a Child Protection Policy compliant with the KSCPP and theseguidelines and adherence to the same.

●

Documentation of safety violations including child abuse in the prescribed manner,by providing support and guidance to all Attakkalari`s personnel.

●

Planning and roll-out of all capacity building programs related to the CPP.

●

Conducting an annual review of the implementation of the CPP with the Attakkalari’s
Management, the CPC and other applicable staff or bodies, with the CPP reviewed
once in three years.

2. Child Protection Officer (CPO):The Chairperson shall be assisted by a CPO, who may be
selected from amongst the staff of the Attakkalari. The CPO should be a permanent
employee, preferably a woman, with at least 5 years’ service.
The roles and the responsibilities of the CPO include:●

To receive all complaints of child safety violation including child abuse, whether verbal or
written and ensure confidentiality and record it in a register.

●

To maintain case files and records pertaining to the complaints/incident.

●

To follow mandatory reporting in case of safety violation including child abuse
wherever legally mandated and coordinate with the police and local authorities andensure that there is no attempt to cover up the incident, or influence the child’s
parents/guardian or other authorities.

●

To follow procedures where there are allegations of child safety violations or childabuse including against the Head of the institution/Chairperson of CPC.

●

To coordinate capacity building related to Attakkalari CPP.

5.2.3. Attakkalari Board of Management
4

In the context of child protection, the Board of Management, shall conduct periodic
meetings to discuss all safety and protection aspects, behavior and attitude of staff
and other personnel, other safety concerns of the students and parents.
6. Children's / Suggestion Box
A Suggestion Box will be placed at a point in Attakkalari premises where the children
can access the Box in privacy.
●

The box should preferably be made from non-transparent and non-breakable
material.

●

The box shall have 2 locks; key to one shall be with the CPO and the other key with astudent representative.

●

In case the child representative, who is entrusted with the second key to the
Suggestion Box, does not carry out their responsibility diligently, the students will
have a right to recall and to re-elect their representatives in a democraticallytransparent manner.

●

The box should be opened and contents read in the presence of both, the student
representative and member of the CPC●

The box should be opened at least once a week to enable speedy response and the
CPC should respond to the issues reported/raised.

a. Responding to the suggestion/complaints in the box●

Suggestions/complaints to be read and sorted by the CPO in the presence of the child
representative into safety violation and non-safety violation for appropriate action.

●

In case of any child safety violation including child abuse issues, the CPO shall follow
the process stated in the Attakkalari's CPP.

●

A Suggestion Book shall be maintained by the CPO and the suggestions together withcomplaints and action taken report shall be shared with the children and reviewed
once in three months by the CPC.

7. Professional Counseling Services
Children who are affected by abuse and violence should be referred for professionalcounseling sessions.
Group counseling will be provided if an incident affects more than one child.
8. Code of Professional Ethics for Staff of Attakkalari;
1. This Code of Conduct is to provide guidance on the standards of behavior & conductthat all teaching and non-teaching staff and out-sourced personnel of our Attakkalari
and are bound and guided by this code of conduct.
2. We do recognize that our Staff are in a unique position to be a reference model andinfluence attitude and behavior of students and members of the community. Hence they5

shall practice and promote behavior that sets the right example. As a member of theeducation community, each of our Staff has an individual responsibility to maintain theirdignity, credibility and reputation as an individual and as representative of our Attakkalari,in every interaction within and outside - related to the context of the Attakkalari.
3. Attakkalari CPP and code of conduct approved by the board of Management is readby all staffs and shall be abided by the teachers /faculty and all non-teaching staff andstaff connected with Attakkalari.
4. We do here by undertake that failure to comply with Code of conduct could result in
disciplinary action as defined in the policy manual of Attakkalari.
5. We do recognize that All Staff and personnel contracted from outsourcing agencies
shall be governed by existing legislation including IPC.
We strive to Setting a Positive Example on 'Child Protection':●

Our Faculty and Staff will set examples of behavior and conduct which can be emulated
by children in Attakkalari.

●Communication, both verbal and non-verbal, with or related to children shall be childsensitive, age appropriate and in no manner intimidating, offensive, humiliating or
degrading to their self-respect and dignity. Communication shall also not demean orundermine their parents or guardians.

●

All Staff must also will avoid putting themselves at risk of allegations of abusive or
unprofessional conduct.

●

All our Staff shall ensure there is no discrimination of any child, children or community byother children or adults in the Attakkalari setting on the basis of age, gender, caste, class,region, disability etc. Staff shall also ensure that no preferential treatment is provided toparticular child/children, except when situation requires.

●

Any suspicion/knowledge of violation of Code of Conduct by a colleague or contract
personnel from an outsourcing agency shall be reported to the Child Protection Officer
immediately.

We strive to Safeguard Children:●

Our Staff will take care of students under their supervision with the aim of ensuring theirsafety and well-being.

●

Staff have a duty and responsibility to protect children at the Attakkalari from safety
violations including child abuse while on the premises and in the extended environmentof the Attakkalari. This includes the duty to report any concerns to the Attakkalari's CPO
or Head of Attakkalari.

●

Our Staff will refrain from subjecting any child to fear, trauma, anxiety, physicalpunishment, sexual abuse, and mental and emotional harassment.

●

Our Staff will protect the confidentiality of incident or information shared by the child or6

pertaining to the child.
●

Staff shall have zero-tolerance towards abuse of all forms (physical, emotional, sexual abuse
and neglect), harassment and misuse of power. This shall include bullying and teasing, either
by students or adults.

●

Staff will refrain from any form of corporal punishment and physical harm will adopt goodand safe practice guidelines of positive engagement with children.

●

All adult interaction with children shall always be in visible settings (a door/ window open
or room with transparent doors) and with at least one other adult or child present. Closed
door meetings/discussions with a child shall always be in the presence of an authorised
staff/parent/guardian.

●

Physical contact shall only be need-based and contextual and consensual and shall take into
account the situation, gender, age, ability, stage of development and background of thechild. Contact should be respectful and not be of a nature that the child experiences as
uncomfortable, threatening, probing, or sexual.

●

Privacy of the child shall be ensured during any personal/private activity such as bathing,changing, use of toilet, etc., and only contact to assist the child in medical emergencies
or in situations as required.

●

No Attakkalari Staff shall have any contact with a child outside Attakkalari hours or on
holidays without approval of the Attakkalari authority and knowledge of parents.

●

The giving of gifts or rewards to children should be part of an agreed policy for supporting positive
behaviour or recognising particular achievements. In some situations, the giving of gifts as rewards
may be accepted practice for a group of children, whilst in other situations the giving of a gift toan individual child will be part of an agreed plan, recorded and discussed with senior manager
and the parent. It is acknowledged that there are specific occasions when staff/faculty may wish
to give a child a personal gift. This is only acceptable practice where, in line with the agreed policy,
the staff/faculty has first discussed the giving of the gift and the reason for it, with the senior
manager and/or parent and the action is recorded. Any gifts should be given openly and not bebased on favouritism. Care should also be taken to ensure that staff/faculty do not accept any giftthat might be construed as a bribe by others, or lead the giver to expect preferential treatment.
There are occasions when children or parents wish to pass small tokens of appreciation tostaff/faculty e.g. on special occasions or as a thank-you and this is acceptable. However, it isunacceptable to receive gifts on a regular basis or of any significant value.

●

All Attakkalari Staff shall refrain from taking unauthorised photos, videos of child/children
under any circumstances.

●

Attakkalari Staff will exercise caution and follow the Cyber Safety norms when using
information technology. Attakkalari Staff shall refrain from divulging any information or
CCTV footage to any person without authorisation. Interaction or communication withchildren and parents/guardians using mobile applications, should be only throughapplications approved by the Attakkalari management.
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Confidentiality: ·●All our Staff and contract personnel who have access to confidential information
about children or their parents/guardians, shall ensure that such information isdispensed only to those who are legitimately entitled to it.

●

In cases where Staff observe inappropriate behavior by another child, for example,
where a child is bullied by another child; the Attakkalari Staff will report this inaccordance with the appropriate procedure, and the CPO/CPC will deal with it asprescribed in the Attakkalari's CPP. Attakkalari Staff shall not disclose this to any staffof the Attakkalari.

9. Safe Recruitment & Selection Guidelines
We adhere to the Safe recruitment & selection guidelines as prescribed by the
Karantaka State Child Protection Policy and when we identify people who might put thestudents' safety and well- being at risk or are otherwise unsuited to engage with children in
the Attakkalari.
Recruitment recommendations:
Screening:a. Screen all applicants for all positions including Head of Institution, teaching, non-teaching
staff, contract staff, outsourced agencies and obtain reference/clearance certificate fromthe last two employers. Reference checks from previous employers /reference providers
should be oral and written, and include suitability of the applicant to engage /work withchildren.
b. Selection should be based on written application and personal interview. Screen theapplicant to gauge attitudes towards children, safety and abuse.
c. Do not recruit the applicant for any job that involves direct contact with children If any
pending - criminal case against him.
d. All documents/records of staff including vetting checks and interview report should
be available with the Attakkalari and the management until retirement.
For Outsourced Personnel:
Where the institution is outsourcing personnel, ensure that the agency providing thepersonnel has recruitment guidelines that encompass the above.
10. Human Resource Policy and Service Rules
The Attakkalari ’s Human Resource Policy shall refer to the Attakkalari CPP andincorporate information about child protection measures of the institution. The
consequences of non-compliance to the CPP and non-adherence to the Code of Conduct
should be specified clearly in the Human Resources Policy.
On appointment and during service:a.

On recruitment, ensure acceptance of the Code of Conduct through a signature of the8recruited employee.
b. In case of those personnel recruited before the notification of the KSCPP, criminal
background checks must be done. Every such employee must accept the Code of
Conduct and declare adherence to the Attakkalari's CPP and acceptance must berecorded in writing. In case of non-compliance by any personnel, appropriate action
should be taken as per existing legislation or as defined in Human Resource Policy or
Government Rules.
c.

Any teaching or non-teaching staff when under investigation for safety violation orabuse in Attakkalari must be placed under suspension, pending inquiry.

d. If any teaching or non-teaching staff is proven guilty of child abuse/safety violation ina court, s/he must be terminated immediately, with a notation on the dismissal letter
recording the reason for such termination.
e. Annual appraisal should include compliance with Attakkalari's CPP.
11. Procedures for reporting Safety violation/child abuse
Attakkalari has laid out procedures to be followed in the event of any complaint received.
And develop procedures and make it available based on the suggested format. The flow chart
is provided in the Guidelines and Procedures.
12. Procedures for reporting of child sexual abuse
As per POCSO Act, Rules and Guidelines.
13. Responses to allegations of staff offences
As per POCSO Act and The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 and Rules have procedures that can be adopted for
Attakkalari context.
14. Communication about and to children
As per Guidelines that includes - Age and class appropriate communication to children
about the CPP, through Notice Board, Attakkalari website, addressing in meetings, every
child, parent and staff/personnel should be aware of the CPP. Ignorance of the Policy will not
absolve a person of the offence committed.
15. Training plan for management /teaching and non-teaching staff
Attakkalari is committed to build the capacity of the teaching and non- teaching staff and isa priority area. Training calendar/Schedule should be drafted for the year with regard tochild safety issues, policy/measures periodic training workshops related to child safety andchild rights protection
16.

Procedures

forparents, Visitors,

Consultants,

volunteers,

serviceproviders
In order to ensure safety of children at all times, our Attakkalari has laid out clear
rules and norms for parents, visitors, consultants,
volunteers, service providers that are to be9

strictly adhered to. Violation of the same shall attract stringent penalty. ID cards for visitors
wherever possible, or accompanied into Attakkalari by one Attakkalari non-teaching staff. All
circulars on this issue to be sent to all concerned for enforcement.
17. Monitoring and evaluation proceduresSpecified protocol will be followed by our Attakkalari with regard to child safety. Informationof the CP Mechanism within Attakkalari and outside through government will be provided
and made accessible. Periodic checks and review to be conducted to ensure child safety.
18.

Responses to allegations of nonteaching staff/community members/visitors /vendors/volunteers /family on contract employees/etc.
As per GUIDELINES provided under KSCPP guidelines. Report to be prepared anddocumented.
19. False complaints or allegations"Attakkalari will not tolerate misuse or abuse of the Attakkalari CPP in the form of false
allegations or complaints by any personnel, students, parents or others out of personal anger,
vendetta etc, and will be dealt with severely. Will this not only be waste of precious time of
the Attakkalari staff and others concerned but also set bad example among students.The
legal course of action along with disciplinary measures can be initiated.
20. Declaration of commitment by the all Staff
I have read, understand, and agree to comply with the Code of Conduct. I am awareof my obligations and responsibilities towards the safety, protection and well- being ofchildren, and to abide by the professional conduct, both inside and outside of Attakkalari.

Staff Name:
Staff Designation:
Staff Signature:
Date:

Place:

A copy will be kept in office file.

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ANNEXURE 1

GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINESAll Attakkalari staff and faculty are required to demonstrate exemplary behavior toprotect children and this will also help staff protect themselves from false
allegations. The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive
culture and environment.
Good practice means:• Always working in an open environment• Treating all children and protected adults with respect and dignity, regardlessof disability, ethnicity, gender, age, religion or belief, health or sexual identity.
• Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance• Making relationships with children and protected adults that are based ontrust, honesty and clear boundaries• Involving teachers/parents helpers/carers wherever possible• Being an excellent role model. This includes not smoking, drinking alcohol ortaking illegal substances in the company of children or protected adults.
• Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Recognising the developmental needs and capacity of children and protected
adults – avoiding pushing them against their will.
• Looking out for whether children/adults are being bullied by other children in
the group.
• Faculty should ensure that no child belongs to her/his class left alone in thecampus after the class timings are over.
• Parents should ensure that the kids may not be left at the gate without
meeting the faculty/staff member on duty.
• Faculty/Staff should welcome parents and arrange personal meeting todiscuss any problems.
Practices to be avoided• Socialising - it is not appropriate to socialise with placements, Youth Theatre
members or young people/protected adults in shows. You must not initiate

11

or respond to social invitations, including social media platforms such as
Facebook and Twitter.
• Toilets - Should staff find a child using toilet facilities, we recommend that
staff use another toilet in the building or wait until the participant exits.
• Changing/dressing - staff must avoid being alone on a one to one basis. Youngpeople under 18 on work experience must not work as dressers for
performers.
• Personal Space - staff should aim to respect personal space at all times.
• Working Space - avoid being on your own with a child/young
person/protected adult unless it is absolutely necessary. If you are likely to beworking on a one to one basis in an isolated part of the building, ensure there
is another adult or young person present or nearby where possible andensure that another member of staff knows where you and the young person
are going and what time you expect to return and, if possible, work with thedoor open.
• Travel - Children MUST NOT travel in a staff member’s car, this is
inappropriate and could compromise the safety of the staff member and child.
• Language - when children and young people are in earshot, it is important torefrain from swearing or using sexually suggestive or explicit comments or
jokes.

Practices never to be sanctioned
The following should never be sanctioned. You should never:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative activities.
Share an overnight room with a child i.e. on a residential trip.
Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
Allow children/protected adult to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
Make sexually suggestive comments to a child even in fun.
Reduce a child to tears as a form of control.
Shout at a child unless absolutely necessary to be heard (e.g. in a group in alarge space or outdoors) or to prevent injury to the child (e.g. if a child isabout to step into road traffic).
• Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or notacted upon.
• Do things of a personal nature for children that they can do for themselves.
• Invite or allow children/protected adults to stay with or visit you at your
home.
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ANNEXURE 2: GUIDELINES FOR TAKING ACTIONS ABOUT CONCERNS
In any situation where you are concerned about the welfare of a child/protected adult, a general rule ofthumb is:••don’t over-react
don’t under-react

Take the following steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.

observereportrecordrespond

1. Observe
Observe to be as clear as you can about the cause of your concern.
ooWhat is it about the child’s/protected adult’s behaviour, appearance, health, emotions orsocial interaction that worries you?
Or what is it about an adult’s behaviour towards children/protected adults that you feel
may be harmful or abusive?

It is not up to you to decide whether abuse has taken place (this is for doctors, social workers, the police
and ultimately the courts to assess) and you should not spend a long time gathering observations before
you report your concerns: you just need to be as clear and specific as you can about what you have seenor heard. The more precise and concrete you can be in giving examples or evidence, the easier it will be
for child/protected adult protection professionals to respond appropriately.
If a child/protected adult tells you directly that s/he is being abused or bullied:•

Listen carefully.
o Be supportive, non-judgemental, neutral and not congratulatoryo Reassure them ‘It is ok to tell me about this’o If possible, write down the child’s exact words so that you can report them accurately.
o Don’t ask direct questions. Avoid 'Who?', 'What?', 'When?', 'Where?'o Keep calm and even if you find what they are saying difficult or painful, keep listening.
o Encourage them to talk -'Do you want to tell me about this?' - but do not pressurise them.

•

Assure the child/protected adult that you have taken seriously what they have said and that youoranother appropriate person will respond to them soon and that they have ‘done the right thing’.
Tell the child/protected adult what you are going to do next, that you ‘know somebody who works
with people who can help and now I have to pass this information onto them.’Child Protection: Do NOT promise the child that you will keep the information secret: you have to tell theappropriate authorities. If you give the child false reassurances of secrecy, the child may lose trust in
adults and withdraw allegations that need investigation.
Protected Adults: Do NOT promise the protected adult that you will keep the information secret. Attakkalaristaff and faculties must make it clear that they will have to discuss the concerns with their supervisor..

2. Report•

Report your concerns as quickly and clearly as possible to the Designated Children Protection
Officer/s.

13

•
•
•

•

If the information relates to the behavior of one of the CPO’s then report this to the other one, orto the Chief Executive.
If the information relates to the behaviour of the Chief Executive, the CPO will speak
immediately to the Members of the CPC . As a final resort, speak directly to child protection
services or the police
Attakkalari staff working in other settings person (e.g. school/educational setting, youth or care setting)this is likely to be the head teacher for a school or the director of the youth or care setting. It is thedesignated person’s responsibility to liaise with relevant authorities, usually social services.
In confidence, make your line manager or other appropriate colleague (e.g. the project manager) aware of
the situation.

Child protection is one of the very few grounds on which you can break normal rules of confidentiality – thatis, you can and should report concerns about a child without their parents’ permission, and/or report
information about a colleague or member of staff without their permission.
The welfare of the child is paramount: it overrides the rights of others to keep information private. Clearly,
though, concerns about child abuse are highly sensitive information, which should be reported on a needto-know basis, only to the appropriate authorities.
In general, Attakkalari front-line staff and faculties are not expected to report concerns directly tochild protection services.
Attakkalari`s designated Children Protection Officer/s and/or the host organisation will make the initial
contact with these child protection professionals. A social worker or police officer will assess theinformation received and decide whether or not to investigate further. If necessary, they may thencontact you to ask you directly about your concerns.
If you can see that a child is in immediate danger, dial ChildLine help number 1098 and ask for the
support.

3. Record
•
•
•
•

•

Record your concerns in writing as soon as you can – using the form on ‘Report of Concern Form’ inthis document
If time allows, write notes about your observations before you report them. This will help you to
be as precise as possible in making your report.
If your concern is based on what a child/protected adult or someone else has said, write it down
immediately so that you can report the exact words, and keep these notes, as (in rare serious
cases) they may be needed later as evidence.
Once you have reported your concerns to Attakkalari`s Child Protection Officer/s, if you haven’t
already done so, you need to write your concerns down in the form set out . Either email or handin (in a sealed envelope) the completed form to the SDT or RCL office within 24 hours or ask forhelp from the DCPO’s in how to complete it.
Be as factual and precise as you can. If you wish to comment or draw conclusions, distinguishthese clearly from the factual information (e.g. by writing “In my opinion...”).

4. Respond
In general, the responsibility of Attakkalari`s front-line staff and contractors ends with reporting andrecording. It is the job of the host organisation or child protection professionals to take action to protect
the child/protected adult and the job DCPO’s to address any concerns Attakkalari staff or volunteers.
If the concerns you have reported turn out to be very serious, you may be required to attend a Strategy
Meeting (at which social workers and police will plan how to carry out their investigation – especiallywhere sexual abuse is suspected and it is crucial to make a planned approach to the potential abuser andvictim) or a Case Conference (at which the family and professionals assess the available information andmake a plan to protect the child/vulnerable adult). In very rare cases, you may be required to give
evidence in court. In any of these circumstances, you will be accompanied and supported by one of the
DCPO’s.

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Most concerns about children’s/protected adult’s welfare never reach such formal proceedings.
Attakkalari’s role is to report the concerns, not to determine the outcome (except when the investigation
is about a Attakkalari member of staff).
Where sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect are likely, child protection services or the police willusually undertake careful planning before intervening in a family or other setting. It is usually only
physical abuse that requires immediate or emergency action. If a child/protected adult is being physicallyabused, the next abuse may cause more serious injury or even death. So it is if you observe signs ofphysical abuse that you need to act most swiftly. For example, if you find that a worker is physicallyabusing children/protected adults, you may need to remove the children/protected adults from thisworker immediately. Or, if a child/protected adult says that they are being physically abused in theirfamily, you may need to tell the school/community partner not to allow the child/protected adult toreturn home that evening.

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APPENDIX 3
Format for Child Abuse Reporting Form
1.

Name of Child:2.

Age & Birth date:

3.

Sex:

4.

Address:

5.

Class:

6.

Name of Parent (s) or Guardian:

7.

Parent's Address (if different):

8.

Home Phone/Mobile:

9.

Parent's Work Place:

10. Work Phone/Mobile:
11. Family Composition: (i.e., child lives with grandparents and the Cousin- Brother ofFather)—nuclear family/joint family/extended family: Specify details-12. Check below that apply and highlight:
Bruises, bleeding Dislocation/Sprains
Lack of Supervision
Emotional Neglect
Twisting/Shaking
Abandonment
Educational Neglect
Malnutrition Burns,
Scalds PhysicalNeglect
Exposure to Elements
Medical Neglect Sexual
Abuse
13. Description:
14. Briefly describe the reporter's concern for the child:
15. Describe the child's account of howthe incident occurred and name possible
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witnesses:
16. Describe any previously known or suspected abuse or neglect to child or siblings:
17. Provide

name(s),address(es),andrelationshipresponsible for suspected abuse or neglect (if known):
Reporting to local Police/ Special Juvenile Unit of Police:
1. Date:2. Name of Person Reporting to Police:
3. Time:
4. Name of Person who prepared written Attakkalari Report:
5. Designation: (i.e. teacher, parent, other)

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to

child

of person(s)APPENDIX 4– PHOTO AND VIDEO CONSENT FORM

Photo and Video Consent Form
Please sign below to agree to allow Attakkalari or our partners to use any video or photos of the project forarchive or media/publicity purposes.
Individuals will not be named in these photos.
Name of Project:
Name of Child:

Signature of the Guardian
Relationship to the child:Date:18